Heterotermes Indicola Research Articles

Effects of heartwood extractives on symbiotic protozoan communities and mortality in two termite species

Lower termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) are considered severe pests of wood in service, crops and plantation forests. Termites mechanically remove and digest lignocellulosic material as a food source. The ability to digest lignocellulose not only depends on their digestive tract physiology, but also on the symbiotic relationship between termites and their intestinal microbiota. The current study was designed to test the possible effects of four heartwood extractives (Tectona grandis, Dalbergia sissoo, Cedrus deodara and Pinus roxburghii) on the mortality, feeding rate and protozoan population in two lower termites, Reticulitermes flavipes and Heterotermes indicola. All wood extractives tested rapidly lowered protozoan numbers in the hindgut of termite workers, which was closely correlated with worker mortality. The average population of protozoans in both termite species was diminished in a dose-dependent manner after fifteen days feeding on treated filter paper. Mortality of termites increased when fed on filter paper treated with T. grandis or D. sissoo heartwood extractives with minimum feeding rate at the maximum concentration (10 mg ml−1). Protozoan number and termite survival was also compared with starved termites and results showed that protozoan populations ware reduced up to 99.60 and 65.71% in R. flavipes and H. indicola, respectively as compared to untreated filter paper controls with ≅ 80% survival for both termite species. Characterizations of heartwood extractives were performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and chemical profiles were obtained for extractives from each wood species. The largest chemical components, based on percentage of sample, identified from T. grandis were Squalene, 2-methyl-9, 10-Anthracenedione and 1-Methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline. Trismethoxyresveratrol, 1, 3-Diamino-8-n-butyl-5, 6 dihydrobenzoquinazoline and 6, 8-dimethyl-Benzanthracene were the largest components from D. sissoo. The largest percentage components from C. deodara were (E) – Atlantone, Di-epi-alpha-cedrene and alpha-Cuprenene. The main components of P. roxburghii were identified as 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-5, 8-dimethyl-Acridin-9-amine, 2, 3-dihydro-5, 7-dihydroxy-2phenyl-4H-1-Benzopyran-4-one and 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-phenyl4H-1-Benzopyran-4-one. These are discussed in terms of their termiticidal and protozoicidal properties.

Resistance of Commercial and Non-commercial Woods against Heterotermes indicola Wasmann (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Laboratory and Field Conditions

Resistance of Commercial and Non-commercial Woods against Heterotermes indicola Wasmann (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Laboratory and Field Conditions

Termites as Structural Pest: Status in Indian Scenario

In this status paper, impact of termites as serious structural insect-pests is highlighted with relevant information in Indian context. Worldwide, more than $40 billion was estimated towards the termite damage. Study revealed at least thirteen species of termites belonging to three families are closely associated with structural damage in India. Heterotermes indicola (Rhinotermitidae: Isoptera) was discussed as the key termite species causing structural damage with substantial impact (even with astounding cases of abandoning houses by victimized villagers). Swarming, the most important sign of termite infestation in and around buildings/structures is discussed. A nation-wide scenario of termite damage in various buildings, public places, dams and dykes, agri-horticultural constructions and timber-in-service are presented. Sustainable termite control in the light of present and upcoming eco-technologies is identified as the major focal point. Use of termiticides as recognized and recommended by Indian Standards, Insecticide Act (1968) and United Nation Environment Program for management of termites in pre- and post-construction stages of various buildings and other structures are recorded with relevance of application and dose. Termite management technologies like use of borate, bait and barrier (3B) are briefed; with pest-control industry-invented devices such as termatrac are brought into focus along with indigenous traditional knowledge of termite control. Status of termite R&D in India is discussed in various institutional and web-based levels along with recognizing research gaps. The present study is a pioneer approach in its kind which can be a platform to formulate compact eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable and economic module of termite control interventions indoor.

Efficacy of indoxacarb and chlorfenapyr against Subterranean termite Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in the laboratory

Efficacy, feeding deterrence and transfer of indoxacarb and chlorfenapyr by the subterranean termite, Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann), were evaluated in laboratory tests at Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar, Pakistan during 2013-2014. Chemical concentrations tested ranged from 1 to 100 ppm (wt/wt) of indoxacarb and 1 to 7 ppm (wt/wt) of chlorfenapyr. Observations revealed that indoxacarb caused rapid mortality at doses > 50 ppm. At 10 ppm, mortality was relatively slower and ELT50 and ELT90 (effective lethal exposure times for 50 and 90% mortality) were recorded as 6.7 and 25.3 d, respectively. At concentrations below 10 ppm, it took longer for indoxacarb to cause 100% mortality. In comparison, chlorfenapyr caused rapid mortality at all tested concentrations except the lowest concentration of 1 ppm, and 100% mortality occurred at 9 d, ELT50 and ELT90 calculated as 2.7 and 8.6 d, respectively. Various concentrations of both termiticides ranging from 1 to 100 ppm (wt/wt) were evaluated in feeding deterrence and transfer studies. The results showed that indoxacarb did not deter feeding of H. indicola at any concentration, and only consumption of filter paper treated with 100 ppm indoxacarb resulted in 100% mortality. Chlorfenapyr did not deter feeding at concentrations below 100 ppm. Mortality remained low regardless of concentration and did not exceed 60% in the feeding deterrence tests. In transfer studies, indoxacarb was successfully transferred from donors to recipients at concentrations of 70 and 100 ppm. Chlorfenapyr transfer generally caused low recipient mortality and transfer from donors to recipients was only evident at 1 ppm where recipient mortality exceeded 80%

Comparative Protozoacidal Activities of Different Chemical Extracts from Various Parts of three Wood species against Entozoic Flagellates of Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi

Comparative Protozoacidal Activities of Different Chemical Extracts from Various Parts of three Wood species against Entozoic Flagellates of Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi

Comparative Study of Resistance and Feeding Preference of 24 Wood Species to Attack by Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann) and Coptotermes heimi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae) in Pakistan.

Present study was conducted to evaluate the laboratory and field preference of 24 Pakistani wood species: Azadirachta indica (Neem), Pinus roxberghii (Chir), Dalbergia sissoo (Sheesham), Populus deltoides (Popular), Albizzia lebbeck (Shirin), Abies pindrow(fir), Alstonia scholaris (Alstonia), Erythrina suberosa (Gul-e-nister), Eucalyptus citriodora (safaeda), Ficus religiosa (Bohar), Heterophragma adenophyllum (Beeri Patta), Melia azedarach (Derek), Pinus wallichiana (Chir), Terminalia arjuna (Arjun), Acacia Arabica (Kikar), Betula utilis (Birch) Cedrus deodara (Deodar), Cordia oblique (Lasura), Mangifera indi,a (Aam),Ehretia serrata Moringa oleifera (sohanjana), Putranjiva roxburghii (Lucky bean), Syzygium cumini (Jaman) and Zizyphus jujube (Berry) against attack and damage by termite species Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi. Two weeks laboratory and four weeks field feeding trials were performed as described in standards of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA, 1997). Samples of each of the 24 wood species were individually exposed to 100 termites (10% soldiers); and termite mortality, wood mass loss and visual appearance of the samples (on a scale of 0-10) were recorded. Results indicated that by no choice feeding assay, Populus deltoides was the most preferred and Dalbergia sissoo was the least preferred among the 24 wood species tested in laboratory against Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi. Field studies by no choice feeding test against mixed termites and C. heimi indicated D. sissoo the least palatable and Mangifera indica the most palatable wood. So it is recommended that though all 24 species evaluated in the present study differ in their susceptibility to termite attack, they would require additional protection to avoid termite attack.

Fumigant Toxicity of Mentha arviensis Leaves Extracts on Coptotermes heimi, Heterotermes indicola and Their Gut fFlagellates

The extract of Mentha arviensis (mint) has been found to have considerable application against microbial diseases. The present study is designed to check the insecticidal properties of Mentha arviensis. Crude extract of the leaves of Mentha arviensis was obtained in benzene-ethanol (2:1) solvent using soxhelt apparatus and dried extract was applied (25mg, 50mg and 100 mg) against termite workers, soldiers and their gut flagellates of Coptotermes heimi and Heterotermes indicola. A significant increase in mortality of termite workers, soldiers and their gut flagellates was observed depending upon a lethal dose over time, in both termite species. It, however, took a relatively longer time period to achieve 100% mortality of flagellates than their respective hosts. The dose dependent death of flagellates over time also indicates the mortality of flagellates was found to be associated with fumes originated from the extract of the plants as in starvation, termites and their associated flagellates can survive for three to four days and also their was no mortality of workers and their flagellates, in control. Thus Mentha arviensis extract can be safely used to control termites and other pests.

Cellulose digestion in heterotmes indicola, Wasmann and Coptotermes HIEMI Wasmann

High activities of cellulose and cellobiase have been found in the gut extracts of the worker caste of two species of Heterotermes indicola, Wasmann and Coptotermes heimi, Wasmann. The properties of the two enzymes from H. Indicola have been investigated. It has been found that the soldier caste of these termites is capable of splitting cellobiose while incapable of breaking down cellulose into simpler sugars.

Anti-termite tests with thermocoustic board

A sample of Thermocoustic Insulation Board was tested for termite proofness against two species of termites, viz. Heterotermes indicola Wasmann and Cyclotermes obesus Rambur. When kept in contact with the board the termites (H. indicola) did not feed on it and died with in 9 to 15 days. If few termites penetrated through the board, but could hardly crawl. In graveyard tests, board remained unattacked for nearly two years.

Cellulosic ethanol production by Zymomonas mobilis harboring an endoglucanase gene from Enterobacter cloacae

Enterobactercloacae was isolated from the gut of the wood feeding termite, Heterotermes indicola, and a 2.25-kb fragment conferring cellulase activity was cloned in Escherichia coli. The cloned fragment contained a 1083-bp ORF which could encode a protein belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 8. The cellulase gene was introduced into Zymomonas mobilis strain Microbial Type Culture Collection centre (MTCC) on a plasmid and 0.134 filter paper activity unit (FPU)/ml units of cellulase activity was observed with the recombinant bacterium. Using carboxymethyl cellulose and 4% NaOH pretreated bagasse as substrates, the recombinant strain produced 5.5% and 4% (V/V) ethanol respectively, which was threefold higher than the amount obtained with the original E.cloacae isolate. The recombinant Z. mobilis strain could be improved further by simultaneous expression of cellulase cocktails before utilizing it for industrial level ethanol production.

Toxic Effects of Ak (Calotrpis procera) Plant Extracts Against Termites (Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi) Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae

A research project was carried out to study the toxic effects of Ak (Calotropis procera) crude extracts against two species of termites i.e. Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi at Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar-Pakistan in April 2002. Results revealed that maximum mortality in case of H. indicola was 21.3, 14.7, 10.7 and 5.3% of C. pocera leaves extracts in concentration of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and control, respectively while in flowers extracts these values were 45.3, 34.7, 25.3 and 9.3%, respectively. For Coptotermes heimi leaves extracts caused maximum mortality of 24.0, 16.0, 13.3 and 9.30% while in flowers extracts these were 56.0, 37.3, 32.0 and 10.7% in concentration 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and control, respectively. In each extracts mortality was significantly different from that of control. Toxic effects of both extracts (leaves and flowers) were more profound against the Coptotermes heimi than Heterotermes indicola during these ten days of feeding. Also the flowers extracts caused more mortality than the leaves for both spp. suggesting the availability of high contents of toxic materials in flowers.

Yeasts associated with termites: a phenotypic and genotypic characterization and use of coevolution for dating evolutionary radiations in asco- and basidiomycetes

Thirtynine yeast isolates or dimorphic fungi were obtained from the hindgut of the lower termites Mastotermis darwiniensis (Mastotermitidae), Zootermopsis angusticollis, Z. nevadensis (Hodotermitidae), Neotermes jouteli (Kalotermitidae), Reticulitermes santonensis, Heterotermes indicola (Rhinotermitidae) and the roach Cryptocercus punctulatus. Using RAPD-PCR the 39 yeast isolates were assigned to 13 different species. Commonly yeast species were specific to the termite species isolates from. There were only two yeast species which were found in different species of lower termites. Based on phenotypic characters Debaryomyces hansenii showed a high score in four species. The qualitative and quantitative yeast cell wall monosaccharide composition, the ubiquinone system, partial sequencing of 18S ribosomal DNA (bases 1273 to 948; numbering according to the gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and the ultrastructure of septal pores indicate that 11 yeast species belong to the Endomycetales. Although ascospores were lacking, two of these species were identified to belong to the genus Debaryomyces. One remaining yeast isolate was identified as a Sporothrix anamorph representative for the filamentous Ascomycetes (Ophiostomataceae s. str.); the second species showed affinities to the Basidiomycetes in particular to the genus Trichosporon. Comparing an additional 18S rDNA fragment (bases 595 to 993) and RAPD-PCR data using different species type strains of the genus Sporothrix, the filamentous ascomycete was genotypically identified as Sporothrix albicans. Sporothrix. albicans, although phylogenetically closely related to S. schenckii var. schenckii and Ophiostoma stenoceras remains genotypically distinct. An emended species description of S. albicans is presented. Evidence is provided that the yeasts isolated from the hindgut can be considered symbionts.

Termite control with microencapsulated permethrin

AbstractBait methods with microencapsulated active ingredients are proposed for controlling local populations of subterranean termites. The foraging workers will take up the microcapsules, transport them to the nest and pass them to their nestmates.In laboratory tests microencapsulated formulations of permethrin had lethal effects on Heterotermes indicola Wasman and Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) depending on the amount of active ingredient applied. The time interval between the application of the capsules and the occurrence of insecticidal effects could be modified by changing the wall thickness of the capsules. Tests revealed that the microcapsules were transmitted from donors to recipients by trophallaxis. Microencapsulated formulations from which the solvent used during the manufacturing process had been removed did not reveal any repellent effects in several tests.

Desulfovibrio termitidis sp. nov., a Carbohydrate-Degrading Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium from the Hindgut of a Termite

A Gram-negative, anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacterium was isolated from the hindgut of the termite Heterotermes indicola (Wasman). The isolate, strain HI1, was a motile curved rod, 3 μm by 0.4 μm, often forming long chains composed of single cells. Several carbohydrates, pyruvate, and lactate were used as carbon and energy sources. They were oxidized to acetate and CO 2 . Sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, sulfur and nitrate served as electron acceptors and were reduced to sulfide or ammonia, respetively. Fatty acids and amino acids were not utilized. Desulfoviridin was present. The G + C content of the DNA was 67–68 mol%. The isolate is considered to represent a new species, named Desulfovibrio termitidis .

Geomagnetobiological rhythms of termite feeding activity and related rhythms

Abstract A research of several years duration on the rhythms of termite feeding activity (Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann)) in relation to the rhythms of the geomagnetic activity, depending on the solar activity, is reviewed, considering also the rela ted rhythms of the feeding activity of the larvae of a beetle species (Hy lotru‐pes bajulus (L.)) and the inverse rhythms of daily human death figures.

Communication between termites by biofields

Building of vertical galleries ("runways") by termites of the species Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann) is suppressed in the interior area of arrangements of plastic containers with equal groups of termites and takes place preferably at the periphery. This reaction is not induced by chemical, vibrational or thermal influences. Shielding separation by plates of glass, plastic foam or various metals demonstrated, that the influence on activity and directional behaviour is caused by fields produced by the termites. They are most probably alternating electric fields. These biofields act together or, if the direction of the gradients differs, in competition with a weak alternating magnetic field in the air-conditioned experimental room. The centrifugal reaction of the termites to the biofields which do not influence the feeding activity, induces gallery building at the periphery of the nesting area.

Über Zwischenformen bei der Kastenbildung von Kalotermesflavicollis (F.) und Heterotermes indicola (Wasm.) (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae)1

AbstractOn the occurrence of intercastes in Kalotermes flavicollis (F.) und Heterotermes indicola (Wasm.) (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae). The occurrence of intercastes in the both termite species is described. In both cases the intercastes (pseudoimagines) showed well developed dark complex eyes but only small wing pads.

Protection of wood particle board against termites

Particle boards are of increasing economic importance. Without special treatment they are destroyed by termites. Deterioration of unprotected material as well as possibilities and present knowledge of preservation against termite attack are briefly described. Recent laboratory experiments with particle board treated to make it resistant to humidity and basidiomycete fungi showed that only one organic preservative out of four protected the boards also against termite attack; one of two water-soluble preservatives gave promising results. Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann) from India proved to be more aggressive and resistant to the preservatives than Coptotermes amanii (Sjostedt) from Kenya and Nasutitermes nigriceps (Haldemann) from Guatemala. Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabr.) from Italy was also very tolerant to the fungicidal preservatives. Further development of treatments of particle board against termites is required.